It’s true: the IRS does not want to take your home. It doesn’t like the publicity and seizing a house is a lot of paperwork for them. But unfortunately many taxpayers who are avoiding the IRS are giving it no other option. So if you’re avoiding the IRS – I get it. You’re concerned.

The IRS will levy bank accounts, even IRAs that have your social security number listed. Think about this: If you have a joint account with anyone (even a dependent child), the IRS is free to levy that bank account completely if you have ignored them. If you are a co-owner of any account, the IRS will assume you have total access to all of the funds. Because your money is their money (or so they think) they will take it all. A bank levy is an emotional event. So if you are levied, do not delay. You will probably want to contact me immediately so I have an opportunity to get your (or someone else’s) money back.

The IRS doesn’t really want to seize property. It wants to work out a deal. But it is much more likely to seize personal property like cars, boats, investment property than take your primary residence. So what should you do? You don’t want to give up all your stuff, but you don’t want to be a pauper either. The solution to this dilemma is two fold. On one hand, you have to be realistic. Possessions can not buy piece of mind. But on the other hand, there are advantageous ways to structure your affairs to improve your negotiating position. Take a look at some posts:

SPOTLIGHT #1: The IRS - Income Tax Highlights Current tax policy is often a creature of history. To understand the origins of current tax laws, peruse a brief synopsis describing the development of the income tax over the last 150 years.